UPSC Prelims 2014 Q9: Environment & Ecology – Protected Areas & Wildlife
Consider the following pairs :
1. Dampa Tiger Reserve : Mizoram
2. Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary : Sikkim
3. Saramati Peak : Nagaland
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
Protected areas and a peak of the North-East
| Pair | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Dampa Tiger Reserve : Mizoram | Correct | The largest protected area of Mizoram, on the Bangladesh border |
| 2. Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary : Sikkim | Incorrect | It is in Tripura, on the Gumti river |
| 3. Saramati Peak : Nagaland | Correct | The highest peak of Nagaland (about 3,840 m), on the Myanmar border |
Tiger reserves of the North-East:
| Reserve | State |
|---|---|
| Dampa | Mizoram |
| Namdapha, Pakke, Kamlang | Arunachal Pradesh |
| Kaziranga, Manas, Nameri, Orang | Assam |
Sikkim's best-known protected area is Khangchendzonga National Park.
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Pair 3 is also right: Saramati Peak is in Nagaland.
- (b) Incorrect. Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary is in Tripura, not Sikkim.
- (c) CORRECT. Dampa - Mizoram and Saramati - Nagaland are correctly matched.
- (d) Incorrect. Pair 2 is wrong; Gumti is in Tripura.
Key point
Dampa Tiger Reserve - Mizoram; Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary - Tripura; Saramati - highest peak of Nagaland.
Remember
Dampa = Mizoram; Gumti = Tripura; Saramati = Nagaland.
Common mistakes
- Placing Gumti in Sikkim; the Gumti river flows in Tripura.
- Not knowing Saramati, on the Nagaland-Myanmar border.
- Confusing Dampa with Namdapha of Arunachal Pradesh.
Exam tip
Sanctuaries are often named after rivers: Gumti river is in Tripura.
Sources
- National Tiger Conservation Authority — List of Tiger Reserves
- ENVIS Centre on Wildlife and Protected Areas — Wildlife Sanctuaries of India